2017 Honda RS150R gets Vietnam superbike treatment

In the Malaysian supercub segment, two machines reign supreme, the Honda RS150R and the Yamaha Y15ZR. Both these 150 cc underbone machines are much favoured with younger riders for stylish looks and good handling, along with a helping of entertaining performance.

Naturally, this tends to lead to modders getting their hands on such machines, and letting their imaginations run wild. In the case of this 2017 Honda RS150R from Vietnam, this RS150R – commissioned by a Honda dealer in Binh Duong, Vietnam – is built by Quang and is not simply a supercub with a race replica paintjob.

Specially constructed for an event in Ho Chi Minh City, a report from Vietnamese website Autobikes did not reveal the build cost, save to say it was approximately 100 million dong (RM19,139). This would mean the cost of the bike itself and the components is not included in the build, or the builder has access to components at prices the rest of us can only dream about.

Starting with the wheels taken off a Ducati Panigale 1199, Quong found that the Panigale’s swingarm would not fit, so a unit from the Honda NSR150 SP was installed instead. Shod with Pirelli Diablo tyres, the racing slicks give the Honda RS150R a striking resemblance to the Honda RC213V-S superbike.

For the suspension, an upside-down Ohlins front fork was lifted off a Kawasaki ZX-10R, and accompanied by an Ohlins rear shock absorber. Brembo does the braking for the supercub build, as are the adjustable levers.

For that MotoGP racebike look, the handlebars feature a myriad of buttons, just like the real thing. There is a button marked “TC”, but somehow we think traction control will not be making an appearance on this bike.

The engine for the RS150R build was left somewhat standard by Quong, but over-bored to 175 cc, with intake air, ignition and fuel injection monitored from three digital meters on the step-over cover. Strangely enough, final drive for this RS150R “superbike” is with a belt, and not chain.

This was done for ease of modification, as a belt is slightly more tolerant of driveline distortion than a chain. The exhaust comes from a Honda CBR1000RR, and certainly looks the part.

Lighting for the Honda RS150R is taken off the Icon scooter, while the rear light assembly comes from the NSR150 SP, along with a single seat. The quality of Quong’s work is seen throughout the build, with the bike looking like it came out of the works at Hamamatsu, Japan.

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